Dallas County and Lowndes County to receive over $65 million in relief as part of American Rescue Plan

On March 11, 2021 President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The 1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill is also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package.

Tuesday March 30th, Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama’s 7th Congressional district went on an American Rescue Plan District Tour.

Sewell stopped in Dallas and Lowndes Counties meeting with local city and county officials to deliver the news that “help is already here.”

“I just want folks to know that we understand that in order for schools to reopen safely we will need more resources for the Selma City Schools and the Dallas County Schools,” she said.

Sewell said funds will be distributed differently than the Cares Act. Funds will be distributed directly to cities and counties and not just the state.

“The Cares Act money went to the State of Alabama and very little trickled to local government,” she said. “Only reimbursable items were given by the State of Alabama.”

Dallas and Lowndes Counties will receive a total of $65.3 million as a result of the American Rescue Plan.

The funds will be distributed as follows:

•Dallas County

Dallas County: 7.21 million

Dallas County K-12 Public Schools: 20.63 million

City of Selma: 3.19 million

Selma City Schools: 21.37 million dollars

Town of Orville: $30,000

Valley Grande: $40,000

•Lowndes County

Lowndes County: 1.89 million

Lowndes County Schools: 10.65 million

The City of Whitehall: $140,000

The Town of Hayneville: $160,000

Sewell informed the crowd that the rules on how and what the funds can be used for will be given 30 days after enactment.

“I want to be sure that the money can be used for our essential services that the county provides and the essential services that the city provides,” she said. “That includes making sure you have funds for your first responders.”

Rental assistance, food assistance, and resources to reopen schools safely are a few essential items the funds will cover.

“We understand that tax payer dollars are going to help taxpayers not only survive this pandemic, but thrive during it,” Sewell said.

The deadline to utilize the funds for essential cost is December 2024.